Minibus driver

What does a Minibus Driver do? – Tasks and Work Environment

A Minibus Driver is responsible for transporting small groups of passengers with a minibus, often within school transportation, mobility services, tourist trips, or corporate driving. Tasks include planning and executing trips according to schedules or orders, ensuring passenger safety during boarding and alighting, and handling the vehicle's daily maintenance. The work environment is characterized by changing workdays, with work in early mornings, evenings, and weekends possible. Contact with passengers is a central part of the profession and requires service-mindedness, patience, and adaptability to various situations.

Salary development over time

The profession of Minibus Driver has experienced a slight decline in salary development over the past three years. In 2022, the average salary was 29,900 SEK per month, while the following year it decreased to 29 500 SEK. In 2024, the average salary continued to decline to 28 200 SEK, representing a decrease of approximately 6% over two years. Several factors may have influenced this trend, including an oversupply of labor in the profession and unchanged demand. The general trend in the transport sector indicates high competition for jobs and a relatively stable but pressured wage structure, especially for jobs that are often seasonal or demand-based.

Minibus Driver salary – comprehensive overview

• Average salary: 28 200 SEK/month
• Lowest salary: 23,600 SEK/month (men), 25,400 SEK/month (women)
• Highest salary: 36,300 SEK/month (men), 35,500 SEK/month (women)
• Hourly wage (average): 169 SEK
• Gender differences: Women earn 29 100 SEK, men 28 100 SEK – women earn 104% of men's salary
• Regional differences: Salaries may vary depending on employer and region, but clear patterns are difficult to discern due to the profession's spread across the country

Education and qualifications

To work as a Minibus Driver, at least a category B driving license is required, but often also D1 qualification to operate minibuses with more than eight passengers. The profession usually requires completed training in professional traffic and a valid professional competence certificate (YKB). Practical experience in similar driving tasks is advantageous, and some employers also require training in service or customer relations. The ability to handle stressful situations and good local knowledge are valuable qualities.

• B-category driving license: Basic requirement for all drivers
• D1 qualification: Necessary to operate larger minibuses
• YKB (Professional Competence Certificate): Mandatory for professional passenger transport
• Practical experience: Experience driving larger vehicles or working in the transport sector is advantageous
• Service training: Can be an advantage for work with mobility services or school transportation

Common benefits and compensations

Minibus drivers are often offered collective agreement benefits such as occupational pension, insurance, and overtime pay for unsocial hours. Many employers also provide wellness allowances and opportunities for further training. The extent of benefits may vary depending on whether employment is within the public or private sector and whether the position is permanent or hourly-based.

Competition and challenges

The competition for positions as a Minibus Driver is considered relatively high, with an oversupply of applicants compared to available jobs. The Employment Service's forecasts indicate that demand for the profession will remain unchanged over the next five years, meaning new opportunities will mainly arise through retirements or increased demand for publicly funded transportation. Challenges for the profession include irregular working hours, stressful traffic conditions, and increased service requirements, especially in mobility services or school transportation. Success requires flexibility and a willingness to continuously develop one's customer service skills.

Tips for those who want to become a Minibus Driver

To succeed as a Minibus Driver, it is good to combine meticulousness with a genuine interest in people. Punctuality and reliability are crucial, as passenger safety and transportation must always be prioritized. Good communication skills help create a sense of security and enable respectful interactions with different types of travelers. Flexibility is needed to handle irregular schedules and quickly adapt to changing conditions. Patience and the ability to manage stressful situations are important, especially when working with children or individuals with special needs. Experience with larger vehicles is valuable, but the willingness to learn and develop in the profession is appreciated by employers. Last but not least, an interest in vehicles and safety should permeate all work in the profession.

Key facts about Minibus Drivers

• Education level: B-category and D1 qualification plus YKB
• Work environment: Mobile, with both day and evening shifts
• Typical employment: Permanent or hourly employment
• Demand: Limited opportunities for new jobs, high competition for positions
• Special skills: Service, safety, and interaction with specific groups

Career paths and future prospects

After three to five years as a Minibus Driver, career development can include taking on greater responsibilities, such as supervisor or trainer for new drivers. Some choose to broaden their skills to operate larger buses or transition to other transport professions, like truck drivers or courier drivers. The Employment Service's forecast for the "Other vehicle, motorcycle, and bicycle drivers" profession indicates that the job market remains stable but with limited opportunities for new hires. A total of 412 job openings were available in the profession at the latest count, but the oversupply of applicants makes competition fierce. Over five years, demand is expected to remain unchanged, and career advancement mainly occurs through experience and further training.

Common questions about Minibus Drivers

• What is the average salary of a Minibus Driver?
  - The average salary for a Minibus Driver is 28 200 SEK per month.
• What are the requirements to become a Minibus Driver?
  - B-category driving license, D1 qualification, and a valid YKB are essential.
• Are there salary differences between men and women?
  - Yes, women earn on average 29 100 SEK, which is 104% of men's salary of 28 100 SEK.
• What are the future prospects for Minibus Drivers?
  - The Employment Service expects demand to remain unchanged and that competition for jobs is high.
• What are the highest and lowest salaries in the profession?
  - The highest salary for a man is 36,300 SEK and for a woman 35,500 SEK. The lowest salary is 23,600 SEK for men and 25,400 SEK for women.
• What tasks does a Minibus Driver perform?
  - Tasks include passenger transportation, safety checks, and customer service.
• Can I further my education within the profession?
  - Yes, further training to operate larger buses or transition to other transport roles is possible after some experience.